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Naomi Osaka became the first player since 2001 to follow up a maiden Grand Slam win with a run to the final of the next major as she defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-2 4-6 6-4, hitting 56 winners along the way.

Not since Jennifer Capriati won the Australian Open and French Open back-to-back has a first-time Slam champion backed up a victory at one major with a final at the next, and Osaka can now become just the 10th woman to win consecutive US Open and Australian Open titles in Saturday’s finale.

The fourth seed moved back above her final opponent Petra Kvitova, who earlier beat unseeded American Danielle Collins, in the provisional WTA rankings and the world No. 1 ranking will be on the line as well as the title.

Kvitova awaits Osaka (Picture: Getty Images)

Shaking off the hangover of a maiden major title is no mean feat, as the other six first-time winners in the past three years will testify, but Osaka – who held her nerve in a toxic New York atmosphere back in September – is a special talent who is tipped to dominate the sport for years to come.

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Pliskova had a similar need to deal with the comedown of an exhillerating fightback against pre-tournament favourite Serena Williams on Wednesday. The quick turnaround perhaps did not benefit the Czech.

Instead, it was the Japanese who advanced to meet Pliskova’s compatriot Kvitova in what will be high stakes first tour-level meeting.

Pliskova put early pressure on the Osaka serve to earn break point, but that was about as good as it got for the 26-year-old in the first set.

Osaka suddenly surged towards top form, breaking her opponent twice and thumping down two aces to wrap up the opener.

Pliskova went out (Picture: Getty)

Losing the first set spelt danger for the Czech 7th seed. Osaka entered the match on a ridiculous 58-match winning streak when taking a one-set lead.

The Japanese No. 1 proved just how good a frontrunner she is by breaking at the start of the second, with the match in danger of slipping through Pliskova’s fingers.

But Pliskova had already shown her fighting spirit against Williams in the previous round and hit back immediately.